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World Cup draw: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland learn qualifying opponents
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have all learned their qualifying opponents for the 2026 World Cup.
The draw was made on Friday, with all five nations hoping to qualify for the huge tournament.
The next World Cup will be a unique event given it will be taking place in three different countries.
The United States will host many big matches, including the final, while Canada and Mexico will also be the settings of other fixtures as well.
World Cup draw: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have all learned their qualifying opponents
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Northern Ireland have been drawn in Group A, with Michael O’Neil’s side set to go up against Germany or Italy, Slovakia and Luxembourg.
Scotland were then drawn in Group C, with Steve Clarke’s men poised to face either the loser of Portugal’s clash with Denmark – as well as Greece and Belarus.
The Republic of Ireland have been placed in Group F.
They will face the winner of Portugal vs Denmark, while they will also go up against Hungary and Armenia as well.
Wales have been handed a tough test in Group J, with Craig Bellamy’s country drawn with Belgium.
They did previously beat the Red Devils 1-0 at Euro 2016.
But Belgium are still one of the best teams on the planet due to the players they possess with Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois still going strong as they approach the twilight years of their careers.
Wales will also go up against North Macedonia, Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein.
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England were the last of the home nations to be selected in Group K.
The Three Lions, who made the quarter-finals of the last World Cup back in 2022, have been drawn against Serbia.
England beat their European rivals 1-0 at Euro 2024 this summer, with Jude Bellingham scoring the only goal of the game.
Serbia were, however, unfortunate to lose given how they pushed Gareth Southgate’s side all the way.
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World Cup draw: Jude Bellingham scored the only goal of the game as England beat Serbia at Euro 2024 back in the summer
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England will also face Albania, Latvia and Andorra.
It will be intriguing to see how they fare, especially with Thomas Tuchel poised to start work with his new side in the New Year.
After the departure of Southgate back in the summer, following their 2-1 defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2024, many names were linked with the post.
But Tuchel was chosen after impressing the FA in interviews, with the German adamant he can end 60 years of hurt in two years’ time.
Read on below for the full World Cup qualifying draw.
World Cup draw: England will be managed by Thomas Tuchel as they look to qualify for the 2026 tournament
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Group A: Winner of Germany/Italy, Slovakia, NORTHERN IRELAND, Luxembourg
Group B: Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, Kosovo
Group C: Loser of Portugal/Denmark, Greece, SCOTLAND, Belarus
Group D: Winner of France/Croatia, Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan
Group E: Winner of Spain/Netherlands, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria
Group F: Winner of Portugal/Denmark, Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Armenia
Group G: Loser of Spain/Netherlands, Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta
Group H: Austria, Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cyprus, San Marino
Group I: Loser of Germany/Italy, Norway, Israel, Estonia, Moldova
Group J: Belgium, WALES, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein
Group K: ENGLAND, Serbia, Albania, Latvia, Andorra
Group L: Loser of France/Croatia, Czech Republic, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar
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